Sunday, 24 June 2012
One and Done
Looking at todays 3 inch onshore gloop only reminds me of how fun it was...
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
I've been framed...
Yours truly eyeing up a wee wan...
Thanks again to Dara and check out www.daraohphotography.com
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Irish Intervarsity's 2011 Results
Ione Byrne raises the cup on behalf of the overall winners, Sligo IT
Sligo IT claimed the 2011 the Irish Student National Surf Championships held on the 19th-20th of February beating stiff competition from the hosts, University of Ulster Coleraine who came second, Queens University Belfast third and Trinity College Dublin fourth. A total of 8 clubs and 125 entrants from across Ireland contested the two-day event at Portrush’s West Strand in 1-2ft clean waves, groomed by light offshore winds.
Poor conditions did however postpone the start of the contest to Saturday afternoon when it commenced with the 1st round of the novice competitions and the championship’s first ever stand up paddle event, won by Sligo IT.
After a fantastic night’s entertainment, competitors awoke to a small consistent wave across the beach allowing the remaining heats to take place. The call proved a good one and by the afternoon the pushing tide provided a more than contestable wave for the finals to take place in.
The novice category again proved to be the most contested with over 70 entries between the men and women’s divisions. The very worthy eventual titles went to Moira Donoghue (IT Carlow) in the women’s division and David Lynch (UCC) in the men's.
The men’s longboard final proved a close affair with UUC’s Rory McNeary narrowly defeating Sligo IT’s Christian McCleod whilst the women’s longboard title was taken in style by Sligo’s Ione Byrne. Sligo also collected both the men and women’s bodyboard titles with the honours going to Ryan McEnroe and Nicole Schiffer.
In the Women’s Open Easkey Britton (UUC) took her 3rd open title at the Championships and as the light faded, the waves grew leaving 4 clubs to battle for the coveted Troggs Men’s Open title. As anticipated by his performance in previous heats the improving conditions provided a stage for event standout, Sligo IT's Ronan Oertzen who earned top spot and simultaneously attained the prize for highest two wave total, sponsored by Portrush Surf School.
The University of Ulster Surf Club would like to thank all who took part and the contests sponsors: Troggs.com, SurfDock.ie, Flow Boards Ireland, Bundoran Surf Co., Woodies Surf Shop, Portrush Surf School, WestCoastSurfer.com, Lahinch Surf Shop, Incide and The Playhouse Portrush.
Special thanks go to Causeway Coast Surf Club, the Irish Surf Association and Coleraine Borough Council for their invaluable help and experience.
-Thomas Smyth
Men's Open finalist Owen Murphy making the most of the small conditions on Sunday Morning
Longboards found the going slightly easier. QUB's Brian Cox finding some tip time to progress to the mens longboard final.
The fading light and growing breeze didn't stop a good crowd for gathering to watch the finals.
Men's Open finalists with Trogg's Andy Hill
Massive thanks to Adam and Andy for the shots!
Full list of results:
Mens Open
1st Ronan Oertzen (SIT)
2nd Owen Murphy (GMIT)
3rd Aaron Dees (QUB)
4th Stephen Murray (UUC)
Womens Open
1st Easkey Britton (UUC)
2nd Clare Stephens (QUB)
3rd Niamh Marie Smyth (QUB)
3rd Alice Jameson (TCD)
Mens Longboard
1st Rory McNeary (UUC)
2nd Christian McLeod (SIT)
3rd Brian Cox (QUB)
4th Cathal Sheridan (CIT)
Womens Longboard
1st Ione Byrne (SIT)
2nd Daniela Eckstein (UUC)
Mens Bodyboard
1st Ryan McEnroe (SIT)
2nd Patrick Alan O’Connaire (GMIT)
Womens Bodyboard
1st N. Schiffer (SIT)
Mens Novice
1st David Lynch (UCC)
2nd Luke Storey (UUC)
3rd Colin Burgess (QUB)
4th Adam Karakurt (IT Carlow)
Womens Novice
1st Moira Donoghue (IT Carlow)
2nd Alice Garcia (IT Carlow)
3rd Maria Hall (QUB)
4th Aoibhin Curran (TCD)
Stand Up Paddle
1st Sligo IT
2nd Carlow IT
3rd Queens University Belfast
4th Trinity College Dublin
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Friday, 10 December 2010
Birthday Fix...
Also have the internet at home again after 18 months without, so you'll hopefully find a few more posts here too!